Congenital tracheomalacia

Causes

Acquired tracheomalacia is very uncommon at any age. It occurs when normal cartilage in the wall of the windpipe begins to break down.

This form of tracheomalacia may result:

When large blood vessels put pressure on the airway

As a complication after surgery to repair birth defects in the windpipe and esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach)

After having a breathing tube or trachea tube (tracheostomy) for a long time

Symptoms

Symptoms of tracheomalacia include:

Breathing problems that get worse with coughing, crying, or upper respiratory infections, such as a cold

Breathing noises that may change when body position changes, and improve during sleep

High-pitched breathing

Rattling, noisy breaths

Exams and Tests

A physical examination confirms the symptoms. A chest x-ray may show narrowing of the trachea when breathing out. Even if the x-ray is normal, it is needed to rule out other problems.

A procedure called a
laryngoscopy
is used to diagnose the condition. This procedure allows the otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT) to see the structure of the airway and determine how severe the problem is.

Laryngoscopy

Laryngoscopy is an exam of the voice box (larynx). It can be done using a small mirror held just below the back of your palate, or a rigid or flexib...